“Life changes fast.

Life changes in the instant.

You sit down to dinner and life as you know it ends." –Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking

For those who are new to this journey, here is the backstory. I am a professional youth programmer for a government-sponsored center, a tattoo addict, an avid lover of blues music, an Elvis fan, a thrill-seeker, a nature lover, and I have a huge heart for animals of all kinds. I love my family more than anything in the world, even though it took me a while to figure that fact out for myself. I immensely enjoy campfires, all things Hawaiian, Yuengling beer, and a good laugh. I believe in taking full advantage of one’s life.

I am also a 26-year-old widow. Out of the many roles that I have assumed during my years on this planet, the most challenging and harrowing was that of caregiver for my husband, Eric, as he battled acute lymphocytic leukemia on three separate occurrences during a span of seven years. After many different types of chemotherapy and a bone marrow/stem cell transplant, Eric passed away on March 17, 2006. We chronicled his transplant process here, and I miss him more than he could ever know.

After taking some time off of life-in-general to heal, I am back. Back to prove that I am NOT finished with fighting cancer, back to reach out to other young widows/widowers, and back to get a fresh start. I was knocked down in Round One, but I am up again and swinging with all I’ve got.

My other blog is The Adventures of Cat Lady.